Life science firm to add 100 jobs at Park 100 on Indianapolis northwest side

The IBJ

Gov. Mitch Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard joined executives at a northwest-side life sciences company Friday afternoon to announce plans for 100 new jobs.

Fullerton, Calif.-based Beckman Coulter, which makes biomedical testing instrument systems, said it is relocating its precision plastics injection molding operation to Park 100. The company already employs about 400 in Indianapolis.

City documents show the company plans to add 100 jobs, at an average pay of $22.30 per hour. Beckman Coulter also plans to invest $6 million in new equipment and relocate other equipment from California.

Beckman Coulter, which has had a presence in Indianapolis since acquiring a locally based high-tech start-up in December 1996, plans to hire additional manufacturing and supervisory associates. The company also is moving portions of its field service operations and product development to Indianapolis, creating new positions in marketing, engineering and technical fields.

In 2007, the company closed its 220-employee centrifuge development and manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, Calif., and moved operations to the Indianapolis area.

Beckman Coulter, which employs 12,300 worldwide, cited the city's favorable business environment and low cost of doing business; its central location and strong engineering and manufacturing work force; and the state's focus on life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The company reported nearly $3.1 billion in revenue last year.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered the cmpany up to $830,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $450,000 in training grants. The city of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. also will support a property tax abatement request from Beckman Coulter.